ABSTRACT:The medicinal plant Terminalia chebula Retz. and Willd. Commonly known as Yellow myrobalan or Chebulic myrobalan or Haritaki is one among the major drug in the Ayurvedic system of medicine which is native to South Asia mainly from India. Apart from its use in Ayurveda, it is extensively used in Unani, Amchi/Tibetan, Homeopathic systems of medicine. This is used in traditional medicine due to the wide spectrum of pharmacological activities associated with the biologically active chemicals present in this plant. It is a medium to large sized tree and fruit is the main officinal part. Detail description available in Ayurvedic texts about its pharmacological actions and medicinal uses in various dosage forms alongwith its side effects and contraindications. The purpose of this review is to gather the available traditional knowledge in the texts as well as published information on pharmacological and phytochemical analysis of the extracts and some of the isolated compounds of this plant as well as their toxic effects for highlighting the importance of this important medicine for use in human medical problems and maintenance of health. The main pharmacological activities observed are Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, Anticarcinogenic activity, Antimutagenic, radioprotective and Chemopreventive activity, Hepatoprotective activity, Cardioprotective activity, Cytoprotective activity, Antidiabetic and renoprotective activity, Antibacterial activity, Antifungal activity, Antiviral activity, Antiprotozoal activity, Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity, Anti-allergic activity, Adaptogenic and antianaphylactic activities, Hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic acivity, Gastrointestinal motility improving and anti-ulcerogenic activity, Antispasmodic activity, Anticaries activity, Wound healing activity, Purgative property, Immunomodulatory activity etc. Further, extensive investigation is needed to exploit its therapeutic ability to combat other various medical situations. More research study required for its bioactivity, mechanism of action, pharmacotherapeutics, toxicity, standardization, pre clinical trials and clinical trials for global safe use of this drug.